Grapevine--Sunbelt cultivar

ABSTRACT

Description and specifications of a new and distinct grapevine variety which originated from the germination of open-pollinated seeds of the Concord cultivar (non-patented) are provided. This new grapevine variety can be distinguished by its production of evenly colored fruits in high temperature climates, its outstanding quality in juice and jellies, and its good resistance to foliar and fruit diseases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct variety of grapevine originated fromopen-pollinated seeds of Concord (non-patented), collected in 1968 atthe Arkansas Agricultural Expermiment Station experimental vineyard atClarksville, Ark. The seeds resulting from this collection weregerminated in a greenhouse during the winter of 1968-69. Resultingseedlings were planted in the spring of 1969 in a field on the ArkansasAgricultural Experiment Station at Clarksville, Ark. The seedlingsfruited in the summer of 1971 and one, designated Ark. 1335, wasselected for its resistance to diseases, its ability to ripen its fruitsevenly under high temperatures, and its high quality juice products.

During 1972, the original plant selection was propagated asexually byrooting hardwood cuttings and a test planting of four vines wasestablished at the above noted location. Subsequently, larger testplantings have been established with asexually multiplied vines at fouradditional locations in Arkansas and on state agricultural experimentstations in Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York,Missouri, Texas, Puerto Rico, and Brazil.

The new variety has been asexually propagated annually since 1972 by therooting of both hardwood and softwood cuttings and by grafting ontorootstocks. Its roots readily from both hardwood and softwood cuttingsand no graft incompatibility has been observed. During all types ofasexual multiplication, the vegetative and fruit characteristics of theoriginal plant have been maintained.

Test plantings over a wide geographic area have shown this new varietyto be widely adapted to differing soil and climatic conditions. It hasshown above average winter hardiness in Northern areas. The canes maturetheir wood early and enter winter in a well-hardened condition. InSouthern areas where high temperatures prevail during fruit maturation,the berries ripen evenly within the clusters, in contrast to the Concordvariety which shows extensive uneven ripening under such conditions.

Vines of the new variety are vigorous and typically characteristic ofVitis labrusca. It has produced well as own-rooted plants in alllocations tested.

A distinctive feature of the new variety is its resistance to commonfungus diseases of grapevines. Under minimum chemical disease control,the vines and fruit have demonstrated outstanding resistance to blackrot (Guignardia bidwellii (Ell.) V. & R.), anthracnose (Elsinoe ampelina(d. By.) Sher), powdery mildew (Uncinula necator Burr.) and downy mildew(Plasmopora viticola Berl. & Tomi.). The fruit has shown no inclinationto split following rains. Another distinctive feature of the new varietyis its ability to ripen fruit evenly under high temperature conditions.

The new variety ripens its fruit late, about the same time as theConcord cultivar. The average ripening data is August 13 in centralArkansas. The fruit quality is maintained well on the vine aftermaturity. Berries adhere well to the fruit pedicels and do not shatterfrom the clusters.

The fruit is blue in color at maturity and evenly colored within thecluster. The fruit shape is round. Fruit skins are thick and do notadhere to the flesh. The berries are large in size ca. 4.5 g). Theflavor is strong and typically labrusca in character, resembling closelythat of the variety Concord. Soluble solids concentration of the juiceat fruit maturity average 16.4%, with pH of 2.97 and acidity of 0.86. Atequal soluble solids, juice of the new variety is low in pH and higherin acidity than the Concord variety. Juice color of the new variety isdarker, more red, and contains more monomeric anthocyanin pigments thanthe Concord variety. Sensory ratings of juice of the new variety arehigher in color and aroma than the Concord variety, with no differencein the two juices in flavor or overall acceptability.

Fruit clusters, borne usually two per shoot, are small in size (ca. 145g), well-filled, and compact and resemble the clusters of the Concordvariety. Fruit cluster peduncles are short and the clusters form closeto the supporting shoots.

The new variety has been named the SUNBELT cultivar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the fruit andleaf of the new variety in color as nearly true as it is reasonablepossible to make in a color illustration of this character.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject grapevine. Color data are readings from aMinolta Chroma Meter CR-200, version 3.0 which measures absolutechromaticity in tristimulus values X,Y, and Z as determined by theCommission Internationale de l-Eclairage. Color was determined using theCIE L*a*b* system. Calibration was performed using a standard whiteplate supplied by the manufacturer. These color data are supplementedwith Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart designations obtained bycomputer matching of electronic readings to R.H.S. color references.

Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, itis to be understood that such characteristics are approximations ofaverages set forth as accurately as practicable.

The descriptions reported herein are from specimens grown atClarksville, Ark. unless otherwise noted.

Vine:

Size.--Large.

Growth.--Vigorous, bud break March 30, growth cessation in early fall.

Productivity.--Medium (10-MT/ha on mature vines).

Cold hardiness.--Good, equal to Concord variety.

Canes.--Large diameter, long, not upright in growth habit. Diameter ofmature cane: base 1.02 cm, midpoint 0.77 cm, terminal 0.39 cm. Internodelength: base 12.50 cm, midpoint 15.54 cm. terminal 9.96 cm. Color ofmature cane: base L=34.32, a=+14.35, b=+13.84 Greyed-Orange (166A);midpoint L=36.64, a=+13.32, b=+14.02 Greyed-Orange (166A) terminalL=36.01 a=+11.95, b=+13.15 Greyed-Orange (166A). Diameter of youngshoots in spring (6-12"): base 7.45 mm, midpoint 4.91 mm, terminal 2.29mm. Internode length 43.8 mm.

Disease resistance.--Good resistance to fungus diseases black rot, downymildew, powdery mildew, and anthracnose.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Color of mature leaves: base abaxial: L=51.37, a=-6.63, b=23.40Yellow-Green (148A), adaxial L=35.01, a=-11.58, b=16.96 Yellow-Green(147A); midpoint abaxial L=49.33, a=-11.33, b=23.89 Yellow-Green (147B),adaxial L=33.72. a=-11.62, b=15.52 Yellow-Green (147A); terminal abaxialL=54.38, a=-10.22, b=30.02 Yellow-Green (146B), adaxial L=46.12,a=-15.81, b=30.76 Yellow-Green (146B). Color of petioles L=33.39,a=10.38, b=12.98 Brown (200C). Sinus of mature leaf is 10.85 cm deep and12.38 cm at widest point. Mature leaves have a light amount ofpubescence on adaxial surface. Color of young (unfolded) leaves: baseabaxial L=50.64, a=-13.43, b=24.82 Yellow-Green (146B); adaxial L=41.37,a=-17.26, b=27.86 Yellow-Green (146A); midpoint abaxial L=52.72,a=-9.43, b=20.15 Yellow-Green (148B); adaxial L=43.98, a=-15.47, b=28.74Yellow-Green (146A): terminal abaxial L=60.58, a=-1.51, b=13.07Greyed-Green (197C); adaxial L=54.79, a=-12.78, b=34.80 Yellow-Green(146C). Color of petioles of young leaves L=43.33, a=-1.85, b=17.82Greyed-Green (197A).

Flowers:

Date of bloom.--May 12.

Shape of cluster.--Cylindrical, conical shape with small shoulder.

Size of cluster.--Length: 14.3 cm. Width: 8.1 cm.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens -- numerous and erect. Pistils -- mediumlong. Pollen -- normal, abundant, and fertile.

Fruit:

Maturity.--Late, similar to Concord. Average ripe date is August 13,Even ripening in cluster.

Size.--Large, avg. 4.5 g, uniform in size.

Shape.--Spherical, uniform shape.

Color.--Very similar to Concord. At maturity: with bloom, Blue Group(102C); without bloom, Blue Group (103A).

Skin.--thick, non-adhering to flesh.

Seeds.--Number: 2-4 per berry, avg. 2.64. Size: Large, similar toConcord. Length: 1 cm; width: 5 mm; with pronounced beak. Color: BrownGroup (200C).

Brush length.--6.01 mm.

Peduncle length.--29.90 mm.

Flavor.--Typically labrusca, strong, similar to Concord.

Juice.--Darker and more red in color than Concord (optical density 0.469vs. 0.174). Lower pH (2.97 vs. 3.42 and higher acidity (0.86% vs. 0.67%)than Concord.

Soluble solids.--16.4%, similar to Concord.

pH.--2.97, lower than Concord.

Total acids.--0.86%, higher than Concord.

Mature cluster weight.--145 g.

Berries per cluster.--35.

Cluster per vine.--83.

Clusters per shoot.--Usually 2.

Uses.--Production of high quality juice and jelly. Can also be fermentedinto wine or consumed fresh. Especially adapted to areas with hightemperatures during fruit ripening in which no adapted juice grapevarieties now exist.

The Variety

The most distinctive features of the variety are its ability to ripenfruit uniformly under high temperatures, its outstanding quality inprocessed products, and its resistance to fungus diseases.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of grapevine, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its even coloration of fruitduring ripening under high temperatures, outstanding juice and jellyqualities, and high resistance to common grape fungal pathogens.